News

Ruth Hayworth

November 29, 2015

Ruth A. Hayworth, 85, of New Castle passed away Sunday, November 29, 2015 at Henry County Hospital. She was born September 30, 1930 in Gap Creek, KY, a daughter of the late Marvin M. and Dorothy (Frost) Masengale.

Ruth graduated from Lewisville High School in 1948, and remained active in the Lewisville Alumni Association the rest of her life. She married William “Bill” Hayworth on July 16, 1950.

Ruth worked for Dickerson Insurance, Jack Nash Insurance, Bill Chapin, and Thornhill Davis Insurance Agencies. She then became a partner with Steve Chapin and then became owner of Chapin-Hayworth Insurance in 1977. In 2009, Chapin-Hayworth merged with Thalls-Ameriana Insurance, where Ruth retired in June, 2010.

A passionate community activist, Ruth was the first female to serve on the Henry County Council, where she served as Chairperson, and also served as president of the Indiana County Council Association. She was a member of Business and Professional Women (BPW) for over 50 years. She had also served on the Board of Directors of the Henry County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), New Castle/Henry County Chamber of Commerce, where she was named Henry County Citizen of the Year in 2001, Guyer Opera House, Christian Love Community Center, Henry County Heart Society, Henry County Habitat for Humanity. She was extremely active in the Henry County Republican Party, and their travel group, the Roving Elephants. She was presently a member of the South Memorial Drive Church of God, and formerly the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church for many years.

She and her husband Bill, traveled the world extensively. She also enjoyed spending time at the family-owned Lakewood Campground for many years, as well as their place in Brown County, IN.

She is survived by her two daughters, Judy A. (Steve) Stevens of New Castle, Jan K. (Bill) Hurst of Bryant, IN; four grandchildren, Seth (Amy) Stevens of New Castle, Kyle (Allie O’Brien) Stevens of Los Angeles, CA, Elizabeth Hurst of Muncie, and Dustin (Elizabeth) Tuel of Pennville; a sister, Lee Miller of New Castle; two sisters-in-law, Norma Hayworth of Lewisville and Marjorie Shepherd of Connersville; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” in 1998; a niece, Kim Williams in 1998; and two brothers-in-law, Roddy Miller and Bob Hayworth.

Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Friday, December 4, 2015 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 5, 2015 at South Memorial Drive Church of God with Pastor Chris Gammello officiating. Burial will follow in South Mound Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Bill and Ruth Hayworth Fund, c/o Henry County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 6006, New Castle, IN 47362; the Alzheimer’s Research Association, 50 E 91st ST STE 100, Indianapolis, IN 46209-4830 or the South Memorial Drive Church of God, 3800 South Memorial Drive, New Castle, IN 47362. You may share condolences/memories of Ruth at www.hinsey-brown.com.

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